Tuesday, December 31, 2019

A Few Little Thoughts On New Year's Eve

Image by Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto from Pixabay

"I don't know what lies around the bend (in the road)
but I'm going to believe the best does."
L.M. MONTGOMERY


We've been enjoying some quiet days between Christmas and New Year's. The weather has been mild with a few sunny and a few grey days. It's been perfect for winter walks in the neighbourhood, an activity I must admit I have not taken part in, but I did think about it a few times. With busy days of preparation over, I've been doing due diligence of 'couch-potatoing' not to mention beavering through some of the Christmas leftovers of which there were aplenty. As much as I love stuffing, we tucked the last of it (our family makes huge batches) into the freezer for another day's enjoyment. And the turkey carcass, also in the freezer, awaits its turn for a day of broth and soup-making.

This afternoon we're heading out with friends to see the movie Little Women. I found an interesting online article in The Oprah Magazine by DeAnna Janes in which she does a bit of cast comparison between the 1994 and 2019 versions. You can find the link HERE (there may be spoilers so be aware). I remember watching the old black and white 1949 version with June Allyson as Jo and Elizabeth Taylor as Amy. I loved Elizabeth as Amy. And I have loved and watched the 1994 version so many times over the years. Winona Ryder, she was Jo to me. Now we will see who shall steal our hearts in this newest unwinding of Louisa May Alcott's timeless story. From the reviews I've read, we are in for a treat! 

Santa brought this good girl a couple of bookstore gift cards this Christmas, which means I'm in for a lovely browse for new reading material. I shall hold off a few more days and go when the happy post-Christmas shoppers have dwindled in number. I don't mind being in the hubbub, but it does make browsing easier, less fraughtful to go at a more quiet time. Right now I'm reading a book from the library, a memoir by Abigail Thomas, What Comes Next and How to Like It. I'm just starting it but so far, so good. In my estimation, the advanced praise on the back cover from Elizabeth Gilbert, Anne Lamott, and Stephen King seemed good enough recommendation to bring it home. King says, "Small speaks for large here...Abigail is the Emily Dickinson of memoirists, and so much of this book's wisdom is between the lines and in the white spaces." 

What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days
of our lives haven't even happened yet.
ANNE FRANK


From the Family Archives, circa mid-1960's

This morning I woke up thinking about it being the last day of the year and that we embark on a journey of not only a new year but a brand new decade. Some folks look ahead and think it's all falling apart, yet so many others are filled with hope and great optimism for our future. Me? Maybe I'm feeling a bit of both today. An old song my mother taught me when I was a little girl of maybe five or six came to mind. I sang it all those years ago at someone's wedding with my mom playing the piano. To this day, I still remember those first lines and on occasion they pop up out of nowhere to lend their comfort and cheer to broody thoughts.

I think they are good words with which to start the new year/decade, and so I offer them for anyone who might also find them hopeful as we consider our days and months ahead. If you are interested, you can hear it sung by Alison Krauss on Youtube -- you'll find the link HERE


I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW
(Words by Ira Stanphill, 1950)

I don't know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to gray
I don't worry o'er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I'll walk beside Him
For He knows what is ahead

Chorus:

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand


* * *

And now we welcome the new year.
Full of things that have never been.
RAINER MARIA RILKE

* * *

On the front step of this new year, I feel honoured to share the journey with you here in blogland. I remind myself, and you if you need it, to keep watching for those glimpses of heaven that glimmer with hope that 'beyond the pain, life continues to be sweet' (Rosamunde Pilcher). On so many levels, we take 'courage, dear hearts', we take courage (C.S. Lewis). For we know who holds tomorrow and we know who holds our hand.


Happy New Year, Beautiful Friends!

With love and hugs,
Brenda
xox



18 comments:

  1. What a treasured memory, singing and Mom playing the piano, and a photo to go with it! Happy New Year and here's to "best days" still to come!

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  2. I am looking forward to the new year. Wishing you the best in 2020.

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  3. “... beavering through the Christmas leftovers” ... I can totally picture it. 😊
    I love the photo of you singing, with Mom playing piano in the background. Such security knowing Mom is right there. Thank you for the hymn lyrics, esp the Alison Krauss version. Love her.
    Happy New Decade! Lots of hope ahead.

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  4. My daughter and I are going to see Little Women on Friday afternoon. I absolutely ADORE the June Allyson version. I can never hear June Allyson in any other film without hearing "Christopher Columbus!" I had already decided that a re-read of that all-time favorite novel was on my 2020 to-do list. So, I will get the film and the book both this year.

    Happy new year!!

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  5. Amen. A sweet word for the New Year. My daughter and I are going to see Little Women tomorrow. I’ll be back to follow your link tomorrow. It seems odd to be worried about spoilers...perhaps Amy won’t die this time... Anyway, here’s wishing you a bright and beautiful 2020.

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    1. Good news! Amy doesn’t die. 😏 Bad news. I can’t remember characters’ names. My daughter loved the movie never having seen any other version. I liked it.

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  6. Happy New Year, Brenda!

    I can totally relate to the "couch potatoing" between Christmas and New Year's (my FitBit isn't very happy with me. HA!).

    I've also heard good things about the 2019 Little Women. Some people, who loved the movie, said that they cried at nearly every scene.

    Have fun picking out new books. I'll have to check out Abigail Thomas's book.

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  7. Were it not for God holding my hand each day, I don't know where I would be. Happy New Year.

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  8. Happy New Year, dear Brenda. Your words are always like soothing winds on one's face. Such lovely thoughts and sentiments. I hope your new year is absolutely blessed to the hilt! Susan

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  9. What a precious picture that is of you! And one of my favorite old hymns, one that I've held onto in worrisome times. I hope to try to get out with my sister soon and see Little Women, I love all the old versions of it and came across the serialized story in some of my old magazines lately with full page portraits by Norman Rockwell. Let us know how you like the Abigal Thomas memoir, please.

    I love your thinking about walking! I've thought about resuming my exercise routine, even have it on the list for today. Maybe today it will happen.

    A blessed 2020 to you,
    Dewena



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  10. Here's to the new year and blogging with friends! ✍❤

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  11. Happy New Year dear Brenda, and may it be a beautiful one for you and your family.

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  12. There has been much couch potatoing around here, too, and too many nibbles of this and that. Ah well, it's once a year. Time enough to return to a more disciplined life next week. I've heard good things about the new Little Women, but don't know if I'll get to see it in the theatre or not. I remember that old song and the message is as true today as ever. God knows the future. I don't. So I trust. Happy New Year of trusting, Brenda~

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  13. Brenda, a lovely post as always. I am one of those who holds hope for our world, however, I do believe we must grab hold of it before it slides away. Blogging is good for that, it spreads the ripple effect of goodness. Brenda, your blog and your writing are always uplifting and encouraging, sprinkled with your humor. It is always a little gift to read. Happy new year to you, my friend.❤

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  14. Lots to delight in this post, Brenda!! Most of all, that wonderful song with which you closed the post . . . such heartening words for the New Year! On a lighter note, I love the discussion Little Women! Ron and I saw it this week and we both loved it! I have loved Little Women since I first read it as a girl. It's an engaging story, then and now.

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  15. Best wishes for a lovely & happy 2020!
    Love, Titti

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  16. Do want to see "Little Women"... How could the little girl that I was, upon first reading this book, imagine all these film versions... -smile-

    And thank you for any and all reading suggestions! Always on the lookout for a new reading suggestion!

    Gentle hugs...
    🔥💛🔥

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To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo